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Build It and They Will Come?

La Conner is unique. ShopLaConner.com seeks to accurately represent our ‘uniqueness’. Launched just one month ago, this new shopping website is being actively advertised via social media. The comments on social media advertising for ShopLaConner.com show that people LOVE La Conner, even if it has been years since they visited.

Other people see these comments and will want to come too! Sample postings:

“One of our favorite places to get away to!”

“I ordered some things from one of the stores. Thank you.”

“Haven’t been here, so look forward to this later in the summer, hopefully.”

“No place around like La Conner very unique”

“Loved it there. Need another trip.”

Many think “social media” for business is just putting up a Facebook page, posting on it and people will come. NO! You have to go get them with PAID advertising, the more you spend, the more you get. The ad has a call-to-action: Since you can’t come to La Conner, let La Conner come to you! Shop La Conner Online!

Mayor Ramon Hayes acted quickly to get an advertising budget approved and the new website has been actively advertised on social media up and down the I-5 corridor to southern Oregon for the past month. The website’s advertising goal is two-fold; First, get people to shop online, and 2)build awareness so that they come in the future. The site was not created and launched in the “normal” way. Why? Times are anything but normal. There was no time even to talk to our business owners. The site was built within a week by volunteers and is being managed by these same volunteers. All funds are for advertising only.

So far the response has been very good! In one month 150,000 people have seen the ShopLaConner.com ad, 47% watched the video, “liked” and/or commented on the ad. More than 250 people shared it, and the comments are ALL positive. In April 4,000 people clicked the “Shop Now” button and visited to the ShopLaConner.com website. But even better: 80-90% of people who come to the website click on the shops to visit an individual shop’s websites! That is a lot of potential customers!

All shops are on the website, but stores with online shops get the lion’s share of people going to their websites from the site, nearly 80%. Sadly nearly 40% of La Conner’s shops have NO online store, some have little or no online presence, and some online stores are minimal.

Do you need help, or advice on getting an online store? You aren’t on the website? Just message the “Town of La Conner” Facebook page. All you need is a business with a 98257 zip code to be on the site, there’s no cost to you. You can also view the ad that is running on the “Town of La Conner” Facebook page.

Makela and husband Brent McElroy created the ShopLaConner.com website.

 

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